Axed Southport Comedy Festival is resurrected

A FORMBY comedian has made it his mission to ensure the continuation of a Sefton comedy event previously at risk of the axe.

Brendan Riley, a regular face on the local and national comedy circuit, has officially launched the new-look Southport Comedy Festival after months of hard work fitted in around the working hours of a touring comic.

Pulling together contacts from the comedy circuit and local businesses, Brendan – who lives in Formby with Val, his wife of four years and two-year-old daughter, Erin – has put together a varied calendar for the 10-day event, formerly known as Southport Comedy Week.

Sixteen shows will play at seven venues, running from Thursday, October 20, to Sunday, October 30, with comedy heavyweights Sarah Millican and Ed Byrne among those heading to town. Our sister paper the Southport Visiter is an official media partner for the event. Brendan, 44, who is also the festival director, said: “Sadly this year’s festival lost its funding but everyone has pulled together to get it going again.

“Southport Theatre, the Visiter, Radio City, Sefton Arts and local businesses have all helped save this great comedy event from extinction.

“I have been overwhelmed with the support I have received and can’t wait until the festival gets underway.”

He added: “We decided to re-brand the event as Southport Comedy Festival and we’ve gone with a traditional seaside theme, but it’s also a bit tongue-in-cheek.

“One major aim is to keep the ticket price down. Entry to shows start as low as £3. We want to make comedy accessible to everyone.”

Highlights of thefestival, which is sponsored by Formby companies Elbow Lane Dental Practice and Almonds Builders Merchants, as well as Three Mobile and Southport-based Barron Financial Solutions, includes the final of a New Comedian of the Year competition, a charity gala in aid of Help For Heroes and an appearance by Lee Nelson, who has enjoyed a successful run with his own show on BBC Three.

For more details about the festival, visit www.southportcomedy festival.com, follow it on Twitter @southportcomedy or join the event’s Facebook page (search under ‘Southport Comedy Festival’).